BHA British Horseracing Authority | Horse Racing Free Tips

James Horton to Relocate to Newmarket

After parting ways with owner John Dance, conditioner James Horton will return to Newmarket to begin training next term on his own. When leading chaser Bravemansgame (Fr) (Brave Mansonnien {Fr})–co-owned by Dance–was barred from running in the Aintree Grand National meeting early this year, the horse was later allowed to continue his career when Bryan Drew took sole ownership. Dance's other horses, most with Horton, were cleared to run, though under different names, in May but with the announcement Monday of “further concerns coming to light”, another interim stop had been put on the runners.

“In light of the ongoing uncertainty for James Horton and his team, he is to part ways with owners John and Jess Dance in North Yorkshire and relocate to Newmarket to train independently from there next season,” per an issued statement. “He is very grateful for the opportunities which have been given, where he has trained some wonderful horses and looks forward to the future ahead.”

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‘Small Adjustments’ Made To Whip Rules After Consult With Jockeys By BHA

A selection of small adjustments have been introduced to the new whip rules, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced on Thursday.

There has been ongoing communication between the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), senior jockeys under both codes and the BHA, and the rule adjustments are the result.

“We are very grateful to the PJA and to our jockeys, both for the manner in which they continue to adapt to riding under the new rules, and their constructive engagement with the process which has helped bring about these further improvements,” said Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA. “We will continue to liaise with the PJA and jockeys as we continue the roll-out and embedding of the new rules.”

As a result of this constructive dialogue and the BHA's monitoring of bedding-in period and implementation, the changes are below:

Repeat Offences:

The repeat offenses rule has been change so that Any jockey will be referred to the Independent Judicial Panel following their third above permitted level-only offence within a six-month period.
However, a jockey will not be referred to the Independent Judicial Panel after just three 'technical' offences.
Instead, once a jockey commits five offences of any type (this can be a combination of above permitted level and other misuse offences) within a six-month period they will be referred to the Independent Judicial Panel.
Should a jockey be referred for either three above permitted level offences or five offences of any type, then these offences drop off their referral record so a jockey cannot be referred twice for the same offence

Suspension dates: All suspensions imposed by the WRC should start 14-days from its written decision. Having been through the bedding-in period, and with suspensions now being imposed, the PJA and its members have asked to have the option to serve a suspension as if imposed by stewards on a raceday. Therefore, jockeys in receipt of a notice of suspension from the WRC will now have the option of requesting that the suspension commences 14 days after the date of the referral by the stewards, should they not wish to appeal the penalty. Otherwise the suspension will be served 14 days from the date of the WRC decision.
Riding fees: The rule has now been changed such that should a rider be disqualified from a race due to excessive use of the whip they will also forfeit their riding fee.
Whip Review Committee meetings: The Whip Review Committee (WRC) will now switch to meeting twice a week rather than once, with meet rides considered: Tuesday, Previous Thursday – Sunday and Friday, Previous Monday – Wednesday.
Without regard to stride: References to the misuse offence 'Without Regard to Stride' (double strike) have been removed from the Whip Guidance. Offences of this nature will now instead be categorised as Without Time to Respond.

For more information, please visit the BHA website.

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Danny Brock Disqualified For 15 Years Due To Corruption And Fraud Charges

Former jockey Danny Brock has been banned for 15 years by a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) independent disciplinary panel. Brock was found to have breached the rules regarding corruption and fraud and he was subject to a BHA disciplinary hearing in December.

Five other individuals–Sean McBride, assistant trainer to his father Philip 'Charlie' McBride, Luke Olley, Eugene Maloney, Andrew Perring and Luke Howells–were collectively found to have profited from Brock's corruption and were also tried at the December disciplinary hearing.

The rules breaches were in regard to a trio of races on the all-weather between December 2018 and March 2019. Six other races were reviewed to contrast Brock's riding style when riding to win and when not trying. A pattern was found between the outcome of the races in question and the betting habits of the other individuals involved in the hearing.

Five of the six involved in the charges did not cooperate with the panel, with Maloney, Perring and Howells excluded since 2020 without appeal for 15 years for failing to cooperate with proceedings. None of Olley's alleged breaches could be proven, but he too has been subject to an exclusion since 2020 for failing to comply with the BHA's investigation. Only McBride chose to cooperate with the hearing and give evidence before the panel, and he was banned for seven years. Brock, now a greyhound trainer, did not attend the hearing.

The horses ridden by Brock in the three races in question have been disqualified and his own disqualification will take effect immediately.

The BHA released a statement which read, “This welcome outcome sends a powerful message that conduct of this nature will never be tolerated in British racing.

“The conduct of the individuals found in breach in this case risked undermining confidence in our sport and flagrantly disregarded the hard work and dedication of people up and down the country who carry out their duties in good faith.

“It is vital that supporters and bettors have faith in the fairness and integrity of our sport. At the same time, participants must have absolute confidence that they are competing on a level playing field.

“We are grateful to the panel for their diligence in hearing and passing judgement on this important case.”

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